His research on plant hybridization and soil fumigation contributed to revolutionary developments in the strawberry and raspberry industries.
[1][2] Wilhelm matriculated in 1941 at the University of California, Los Angeles and graduated there with bachelor's degree in 1944.
[3] Wilhelm remained on the faculty of UC Berkeley until he retired as professor emeritus.
[1] Wilhelm and James E. Sagen wrote A History of the Strawberry from Ancient Gardens to Modern Markets (1974, University of California Press).
Berkeley as professor emeritus, Wilhelm became the chief raspberry breeder for the Sweet Briar Company, which later became a part of Driscoll Strawberries, Inc., now called Driscoll's, Inc.[1] At the time of his death, more than 50% of the fresh raspberries consumed in the United States were produced from cultivars developed by Dr.